Routine Dental Examinations in Sherwood Park
Regular dental visits are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile. At Emerald Hills Dental Centre, we provide comprehensive dental exams and professional cleanings in Sherwood Park to help prevent problems before they become more serious.
During your appointment, we'll assess your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. Digital X-rays may be recommended to help identify concerns that aren't visible during a visual examination. Early detection of issues such as cavities and gum disease can often lead to simpler, more comfortable treatment.
Professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy while leaving your smile feeling fresh and clean.
Contact Emerald Hills Dental Centre today to book your next dental exam and cleaning in Sherwood Park.
What to Expect During a Dental Exam
Your dentist will:
Check for signs of tooth decay, cavities, and damage to your teeth
Check your gums for inflammation or infection
Check for signs of bruxism (teeth grinding), TMJ, and oral cancer
Assess the alignment of your teeth
Assess the condition of fillings, crowns, and bridges
Examine the condition of the jaw and other facial bones and the lymph nodes in your neck
In addition to the visual exam, your dentist may also do an X-ray which can reveal problems such as decay, fractures, or bone loss below the gum line.
Regular Cleaning
Even with regular brushing and flossing, professional dental cleanings are essential for maintaining a healthy smile. Routine cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease while keeping your teeth feeling fresh and clean.
Professional teeth cleaning includes:
Dental X-rays are an important diagnostic tool that allows your dentist to see areas of your mouth that can't be examined with the naked eye. They provide a detailed view of your teeth, roots, jawbone, and surrounding structures, helping us identify potential concerns before they become more serious.
By detecting issues early, we can often recommend simpler and more effective treatment options.
Dental X-rays can help identify:
Cavities and tooth decay, especially small areas of decay between teeth
Decay beneath existing fillings
Bone loss in the jaw
Changes in the bone or root canal due to infection
Condition and position of teeth to help prepare for tooth implants, braces, dentures or other dental procedures
Abscesses (an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth)
Cysts and some types of tumours
We use two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral (the X-ray film is inside the mouth) and extraoral (the X-ray film is outside the mouth).
Dental X-rays
Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of dental X-ray and provide detailed images of your teeth and supporting structures. There are several types of intraoral and extraoral X-rays, each used to help diagnose different dental concerns. In some cases, a 3D CT scan may be recommended for a more detailed view.
The frequency of X-rays depends on your oral health needs. Some patients require X-rays more often, while others may only need them every few years. X-rays are commonly taken during your first visit to establish a baseline and help monitor changes in your oral health over time.
Some people need X-rays as often as every six months, while others who do not have a recent dental or gum disease may only need X-rays every couple of years. Your dentist might ask you to take an X-ray on your first visit. First-visit X-rays help to compare with X-rays taken over time to look for problems and unexpected changes. X-rays may need to be taken more often in people at high risk for dental problems.
These people include:
Children
Smokers
People who drink a lot of sugary beverages
People with gum disease
Adults with a lot of restorative work
People who have dry mouths
If you have any questions regarding X-rays or any other dental treatment, feel free to contact us.